Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1838 Chapter 486: Challenging the Limits
Previously on Follow the path of Dao from infancy...
Once the words were spoken, the pitch-black void in front of him started to lift gradually, brightness began to seep in, unveiling a lush expanse of mountains tangled with towering summits.
Those summits thrust upward like razor-sharp fangs, shrouded in swirling fog and haze, while the landscape's ridges snaked through the spaces between every rise.
Li Hao sensed the dense vital force of the Five Paths immortal power permeating the emptiness—metal, wood, water, fire, earth—empowering experts in diverse Immortal Techniques and Immortal Bodies to maximize their potentials in this space, striking an ideal harmony.
"This setup in the First Layer is truly remarkably balanced."
Li Hao mused inwardly, figuring this design catered especially to those at the Perfect Immortal Monarch Realm, since an overly harsh setting might prove disadvantageous for cultivators at that stage.
While he examined the area around him, a tear abruptly ripped open in the space ahead, from which three shadowy figures of Ancient Demons cloaked in dark energy burst forth, each bearing unique shapes: the Emperor Jiang Royal Family type Li Hao recognized, the Yama Clan he'd faced before, and a third Ancient Demon wrapped in a foul, murky gas that tainted the nearby heavenly laws and earthly principles.
"Three Ancient Demon King Clans..."
Li Hao narrowed his eyes a bit; ever since ascending to Immortal King, he'd cut down Ancient Demons amid battles, but always backed by army arrays. In truth, he'd never squared off solo against a rival at the Immortal King Realm.
As he observed them closely, the gazes of the three Ancient Demon King Clans flashed with savage chill, and they lunged straight toward Li Hao without delay.
Three waves of Realm Power expanded outward, creating a triangular siege around Li Hao.
"Formless."
With a mere thought from Li Hao, the Formless Realm instantly unfurled.
Right away, the space encircling him twisted briefly before snapping back into place. This left Li Hao, positioned inside the realm, radiating an enigmatic aura that was tough to grasp.
Formless Realm, where the field lacks shape, and trails vanish entirely!
The encroaching Realms from the three Ancient Demon King Clans pressed into Li Hao's domain, slicing right up to his position.
The dark Yan Power morphed into a scorching Flame Blade slashing toward Li Hao. At the same time, the Emperor Jiang Royal Family swung a Fist Sword laced with subtle Emperor Power; faint as it was, it sparked momentary confusion, freezing the spirit.
Meanwhile, the leftover Poison Corrosion Clan Ancient Demon spewed a shadowy toxic fog that eroded the ambient laws and immortal power, crafting an Immortal Forbidden Area. Even immortal power drawn from the All Heavens Star Vein would get muddled, nullifying Ultimate Realm Power!
This joint onslaught brewed an instant crisis, leaving even a fellow-realm Immortal King with scant chance to counter.
Li Hao couldn't help but sigh: it was clear why only top geniuses could conquer the Heaven Tower trials, as most wouldn't even clear the layer matching their own cultivation level.
Faced with the onslaught of three Realm Power surges, Li Hao stayed rooted; the forces rushed by, slamming into his frame only to phase harmlessly through. Their energies clashed against each other, tearing the void apart. Amid the warped, fractured emptiness, Li Hao's silhouette endured firmly in place.
"Formless Paths, paths gone astray—no amount of push can bridge to the other side."
Li Hao murmured softly, appreciating the marvelous function of the Formless Realm, turning oneself shapeless, making the entire realm shapeless. When one's form dissolves into nothing, no strikes can follow the route to him.
Hence, he emerged untouched.
"Formless equally means endless shapes!"
Li Hao lifted his arm, and formless shifted. In a flash, his realm swelled, brimming with his likeness, materializing next to the three Ancient Demon King Clans. What was once three foes against one now flipped to thirty 'Li Haos' hammering a single Ancient Demon!
Tenfold payback!
With a thunderous crash, the three Ancient Demons' structures buckled, their realms crumbling in a heartbeat, forms exploding into bloody vapor; then, under the flurry of countless 'Li Haos' sword strikes, even the vapor scattered—untethered, without form.
Over.
The realm settled into calm once more; before Li Hao, a voice rang out:
"Congratulations, you've cleared the First Layer of the Heaven Tower. Would you like to proceed to the Second Layer challenge?"
"Yes."
Up in the heavens, a fissure split wide, pulling Li Hao in with powerful draw. Li Hao offered no resistance, letting the pull carry him inside.
In a moment, the gloom inside the fissure dissipated. What greeted him was a new domain, its floor awash in molten lava, the air thick with blazing Fire Dao immortal power.
Although Li Hao commanded Nine Orders Power, the influence of his environment still weighed heavily, though it held little direct bearing.
He waited steadily for his adversaries to show.
This round, Ancient Demons clambered up from the lava depths—six altogether—all at Immortal King Realm First Level and from the Ancient Demon King Clans!
Li Hao's brows lifted faintly; for merely the Second Layer, the difficulty spiked so fiercely, leading him to doubt that most First Level Immortal Kings could conquer even the first five trial stages.
As the six Ancient Demons unleashed their strikes, Li Hao stuck to his strategy, holding firm with the Formless Realm.
Formless morphed into countless forms, wiping out the six Ancient Demons in a flash, securing passage through the Second Layer.
Next came the Third Layer, Fourth Layer...
In the Third Layer, the Ancient Demons numbered twelve, doubling the count yet again!
The Fourth Layer featured 24 Ancient Demons.
By the Fifth Layer, 48 Ancient Demons swarmed around Li Hao thickly.
The numbers kept doubling, but thanks to Li Hao's endless shifts, the battle turned upside down, with hordes of humans overwhelming the scant demons, claiming victory each time.
When he entered the Sixth Layer, the Ancient Demon count held at 48, yet Li Hao clearly detected boosted presences from these foes. Still all at First Level Immortal King Realm, their presences had reached the pinnacle of Perfection.
Every Ancient Demon's strength had surged by no less than a third.
This shift at last stirred a sense of true warming up in Li Hao...